Gnu Ears Heave

Log Info

• Title: Gnu Ears Heave
• Emitter: Jinks
• Characters: Lysos, Paenitia, Randolf, Rocky, Skielstregar, Vaera
• Place: Western Alexandros
• Time: December 31st, 2021
• Summary: The actions of Eustangellabledine Kikniddledern in resolving the Purple Pox problem have led to the creation of a new (small) canyon in western Alexandros. Now there are reports of caravans coming from the Mythwood being assaulted by strange, subterranean monsters in the same general area. The Guild of Explorers recruits a sextet of adventurers to escort a pair of soldiers-cum-engineers being sent to block the tunnels to Ea's underworld. The two soldiers have a rough history with the mercenaries of the city and quickly butt heads with Paenitia. Traveling out of the city is awkward and unpleasant.

The group locates the canyon and set to exploring. They find spoor of the creature they seek. Paenitia spots a relatively fresh kill from the air. Randolf finds the cavern entrance. Vaera and Rocky determine their prey is a fungal crawler. The group set off into the caves after the two soldiers lower their equipment into the canyon on a sled. Skielstregar navigates the twists and turns with aplomb, aided by handy observations from his companions.

The cave hosting the small colony of fungal-infused pests is located and battle is joined. An animated cloak-like creature nearly drags Rocky to his death but is eventually forced to flee down into a deeper recess. The group as a whole manages to vanquish the four crickets (including one overlarge beast!) and purge the cavern of nesting larvae spotted by Lysos before leaving and allowing the soldiers to board up the tunnel.

Another day, another contract, and the hope of more coin.

It seems in the process of resolving one problem, another has been created, and Alexandria's love/hate (hate/hate?) relationship with Eustangellabledine Kikniddledern continues.

The background: not more than a month ago the Purple Pox was making semi-frequent appearances among those trying to enter the city from western Alexandros. The mad gnome mycologist's solution upon finding the source of the plague was to (naturally) detonate a large bomb and collapse the cave hosting the myceloid colony.

And-- to her credit-- the Purple Pox has been thwarted.

Unforunately, there are now reports of a subterranean abomination roaming the region in the dark of night; it seems she may've opened a route down into the deeper caverns of Ea where truly monstrous things dwell. So, that's where you come in (and in the interest of NOT making things worse the fast-talking fungal farmer, mushroom expert, self-proclaimed Rival of Dana, and explosive enthusiast is getting the day off).

The good news is that the crater should be easy to find (a few mercenaries helped on the mission that led to its creation (but are not being held culpable seeing as a gnome was involved)). So, assuming the impromptu demolition and new monsters are related, getting there won't be any kind of problem. There should even be signs warning people back from the area because of the spore.

The contract called for all to gather inside the western gates just after the morning mealtime. Mounts were recommended (it's quite the schlep) but not required.

And so the time has come. There's a short (probably) human (probably) man, the specifics of his (her?) form almost entirely lost in the layering of heavy coldweather clothing. You're almost certain she (he?) is bipedal; you only see two boots, at least. The ushanka, dark goggles, and wrapped scarf leave much to the imagination.

Rocky keeps to his feet. Rare is the mount able to lift the heavy sith, and even less common is one willing to do so all day. Easier to just walk. Though the winter chill does slow the armored lizard a bit. Stiff joints.

Skielstregar comes to this calling with his own rented steed. A heavy horse to be able to carry him. A bit of monster killing didn't sound to bad. Straightforward as it was. The background on the mission was lost on him, but that mattered not in this circumstance.

His horse titters about as he holds the reins at the western gate, the tarnished scale/silverscale makari scratching at the side of his face, a few of those former scales flaking off as he grunts in annoyance, empty patches lining his arms. At least that aura of dread that surrounded him was gone.

Randolf once again finds himself in the position of acting as underground guide. Because of course one wants a dwarf with them when adventuring underground. He's taken the effort to tank up with a full breakfast (and an entire pot of coffee) so he's in relatively good spirits, even despite the early morning hour. He leads his horse out to the western gate, having added a heavy fur-mantled cloak to his robe and kilt ensemble. "Mor--" He cuts off with a mighty jaw-cracking yawn, blinking owlishly. "Oh! Mornin', friends. Guess we're huntin' us some nasty beastie from the depths o' the earth?" He gives himself a mighty stretch, lifting his fists above his head as he goes on tip-tiptoes. "Well," he grunts as he settles back down onto the flats of his feet. "Beats goin' over the Intermediary Enchantments syllabus. I could use me a little action." He glances up and around at the sith'makar gathered, then at Paenitia. "I'll keep a Light spell handy fer ye, Dame, in case ye need it. Think yer the only one here who cannae see in the dark."

Vaera was set up and ready to go with a swiftclaw from mictlan, much more used to the beasts when possible. She spends some time looking over her gear. "It is important to keep the forests safe. I do not want anyone wandering them getting injured if it can be helped." She replies to Randolf.

The guild functionary stands near the Watch Constable's building wrapped in their heavy, layered clothing, next to a crackling brazier. Close enough to the brazier, in fact, that soot has begun to stain the long leather coat and the curled wool lining the jacket pocket is going dark and smoldering. The contract was delivered at the guild offices but they're here to answer any questions and confirm arrivals-- so long as you're willing to walk to them as they're not capable of dragging the warming brazier out into the open street.

The world out west beyond the Phoenix Gate is covered in a glittering, soft blanket of white under a bright blue sky. The road splitting the land to either side is dark and wet, full of trenches and shallow rents that have turned to murky puddles in the snowmelt.

The usual traffic comes and goes and the watch maintains their heightened alert concerning new arrivals; locking down dimensional invasions does little good when you pay no mind to who enters the city on foot.

A small group of western locals stand off the road a ways to the north, supervising a laughing and energetic group of children enjoying snowplay and games. Their air snowball fights, sculptures of varying complexity made from the powder, and sleds pulled and pushed.

Rocky finds 'go to place, seek monster' easy enough, but may be best to confirm a few things. Stepping dangerously close to the warmth of the braizer himself, the greyscale asks. "The monster we are being sent after, is there a description? Would not want to call success having fought the wrong threat by accident. Where exactly have the encounters been?"

Skielstregar raises a hand in greeting to the grey makari, "Peace on your nessst," he rumbles warmly. "Thisss one is Skielssstregar, warrior caste."

His horse trots closer to Vaera, him repeating the greeting to her sans introductions as he reaches out to pat a bundled shoulder. He himself was not dressed for the weather in the slightest, for he was unfazed by the chill.

Seeins as their contact wished to be near heat, a slight tug of the reins gets his steed to clop closer. Taking a moment to watch the children play and smile, he's about to speak to their contact, but the grey mountain speaks for him. "... good morning!" he greets, following up after the plated makari throws questions out.

Paenitia is present, one presumes, at the gate. Ramirez is there, and his back looks extra fluffy with feathers one wouldn't normally find mid peacock-andalusian hippogryph. The little Red Knight is buried in a downy fluff to keep herself warm. Adamantine full plate it execellent protection and a good head conductor. "The light spell will be of much use, great thanks, Randolf."

She also gets to reunite with Rocky, "Friend Dragon! Meet the other friend dragons I know! The smelly and the angry one. Ha!" She sounds cheerful enough, buried in fluff.

'Ruaaaah.' Ramirez is worried about snowballs. Yes.

"I bet Tawyse would have fun, if she was not bruised from last time. Or she would still have fun, and aggravate her bruises further." Vaera chuckles as she glances over to the children playing. Then her attention is on the job and those by the fire.

"There is only one makari I can think of who would match the appearance, and Cryosanthia mentioned you before. Good day, River Stone." She greets, strangely unreadable in scent and demeanor. Though she does stop to look at the small knight. "I am not that angry. Usually. Or are you referring to me as the smelly one?"

Randolf can't help but grin a bit at the kids and their snowgames. His niece and nephew are probably doing the exact same thing right now. But he's here on a job, and so he harrumphs gruffly to clear his throat. Puffing up his burly chest, he lumbers over to the brazier as well. "It's my understanding that the tunnels in question were collapsed. So where exactly is this beastie bein' spotted?" he asks. "Has it actually attacked anyone?"

Paenitia laughs, "You are coloured red in scales, red is the angry colour, so you seem red even when you are not." She is of course in crimson armour, so it's a case of the Knight calling the Dragon angry, rrr... red.

"We are not normal sent to fight the things that have not attack people." She responds to Randolf, then thinks about it. A little thought and she easily can find some contradictions. "Usually, we are not."

The guild representative gets her attention now, "is there more, than find the hole and go in it? What the thing is, yes?"

Rocky nods to Skielstregar, his regular scent of calm acceptance mixing with the harsh soot of the braizer. "This One is 'River Stone', called 'Rocky' in Trade, also of warrior caste."

There's a buzzing series of muffled vowel-sounds spilling out from behind the thick scarf. A pause. A few more. When there's no response to indicate understanding two mittened hands reach up and force down the cloth to reveal pale, thin lips.

"Cow-sized cricket." The voice is vaguely masculine and joined by only the thinnest of fog this close to the fire's warmth. "Wagon train coming from the Mythwood said it jumped over them right near the Plaguehole. Tried to make off with a pony but couldn't get it off the... you know, the wooden bit that the horses pulling wagons go on. The whatsis."

"H-hello." Nods the functionary in response to the sith's greeting, teeth starting to chatter. "Uh," the scarf pops back over thin lips as the guild employee reaches down to explore pockets. Upon finding one smoldering and smoking there's a muffled, high-pitched sound of exclamation and both hands set to patting at the wool lining. It wasn't quite 'on fire' yet but it was definitely closer than most would enjoy. When composure is found once-again the search continues before a folded map is produced after awkward mitten-pawing and dragging to get it out of the pocket.

"Plaguehole was a cave. Cave collapsed. Must be tunnels that didn't get blocked." The mittens are back to holding the scarf down. There's a shrug. "I'm no tunnelologist." There's a clearing of the throat, "City is sending a couple with tools and supplies to seal up whatever you find."

And, as if on cue, two women in coldweather clothing, Alexandrian livery, and armor near atop heavy horses with military saddles and multiple bulging bags. They have visored sallets that leave their annoyed frowns in plain view.

Skiel nods in affirmative with Vaera. "Yess, she would. And pleasure to meet you River Stone."

Though, his introduction from the Red Knight makes him, somehow, pout. "... thisss one isssn't smelly..." It's true, he wasn't. His scent of a subdued happiness was pleasant.

He bobs his head at the directions and the overall outline of the job. "Very well. We ssshall take care of thisss."

The white fluff atop Ramirez twists in her saddle to examine the two in Alexandrian livery. She laughs, sounding quite amused as she greets them, "Malapelle! Appauline! You are out from the Soldiers' Defense to do the cold work of adventurers! You must have done the atrocious thing, you know how much bad it is to be the adventurer."

She giggles some more, a sound made unsettling by the stylized grin on her mask, "it is the black mark even to be seen with us, yes? Come, we have the holes to block up."

The little knight looks around, then points at Randolf, "He is show us where."

"You know these two? very well, then introductions are not necessary, I shall trust the knight's judgement on them. Even if assuming I am angry is wrong." Vaera chuffs. "So we are to fight off what may come while it is destroyed properly. Do we need any more supplies for this job?"

"Laugh it up, featherball." Sneers the gap-toothed soldier, she raises a gauntlet to push up her visor. Halette Malapelle's skin is darker than her partner's and her brown hair barely hangs past the bottom of her helmet. She has a flat face and small nose. "We might have to eat a little shit today because someone went crying to the guv'ner but you'll--"

"Hallee," comes the firm warning from the other. She's fair-skinned with a long, dirty-blonde braid and a slender jaw. Even if she's cut off the other woman, her expression makes it clear she's just as upset to be here; if not moreso. "We have picks, shovels, hammers, stakes, lumber, powder, burntwigs. Rope, too. And climbing gear for us." Her tone makes it clear they're unlikely to share the last bit.

Both women sit forward in the saddle, rolling their gaze over the assembled mercenaries speculatively. Malapelle has her wrist resting casually on the crossguard of her sword.

"Oh," goes the guild employee, entirely unsure of what to make of this development. He stands back a little ways so the brazier is half-between him and the larger group.

Skielstregar looks between everyone and the list of supplies that was rattled off. He clears his throat, pats his saddle bag, then jabs a finger over his shoulder. "Sssoundsss like we have everything that isss needed. Let'sss get going!" he chirps.

Skielstregar grabs the map.

The little featherball laughs it up some more, "Oh it will not be the little shit today, it will be the great pile of shit." She's truly amused, "you will see."

Turning, she faces forward, "Yes, lets go. I have the innocent to seek out later, one name Hotoru. You will tell me if he end up in your jail, yes? I am sure he is not down the monster hole."

She clucks and Ramirez takes off in a trot, then up into the air. She circles over the group, making sure to pass directly over Malapell and Appauline, "Touch your sword again when you speak to me out here and Ramirez will poop on you. That will be the start of the meal. Many here have been betray by party member in the middle of the fight."

"It does not go well for the betrayer."

GAME: Paenitia rolls intimidate: (10)+13: 23

"It is good that you are ready for battle, but there is no need to be on guard here. Save that for when there are actual threats around." Vaera chuffs, before she saddles up properly. "We may have some travel to do, so the sooner we are on our way, the better."

Armor? Check. Sword? Check. Shield? Check? More armor? Check. Rocky is good to go.

Skiel watches the exchange before shaking his head and passing the map off to Vaera. "Of course, let'sss get that started."

GAME: Vaera rolls survival+5+2: (18)+10+5+2: 35 (37 with Pae auto-aid)

Following the road is easy and with the help of the paladina and Vaera's ability to read the well-drawn map, picking the right fork to take is a simple matter. It's a fair distance to cross but the roads are well-used and free of debris. A break for the midday meal passes uneventfully; the two soldiers keep their own 'camp' more than a stone's throw from the adventurers during the break. They've been cowed by dame Paenitia but can't be made to act friendly.

Eventually-- the sun descending but still well above the horizon-- there's a sign warning travelers to stay on the road and take care in passing; "PURPLE POX SPORE OFF ROAD" and a crude skull emphasizes the point. There should be a second (and third) somewhere but they appear to have been taken-- or fallen and lost to the harsh elements of the season.

The road is flanked by shrubs and trees wasting in the cold. Leaving it and stepping into the untamed wilderness has the group weaving through the light winter woods before finding a good-sized clearing. There are collections of scraggly vegetation here and there but there's a good fifty-feet before the next copse. Round those trees takes you to the crater.

A low hill had sported a cave entrance almost parallel with the ground and now that-- and a large, semi-circular region beyond it-- sags down into something of a canyon. Snow has been settling in the depression; it's difficult to tell how deep the canyon is at its deepest. Maybe thirty-feet down, maybe more.

Rocky chuffs softly and follows along. Steamy jungles are his natural turf, not frozen scrub forests. Still, the greyscale does better with the cold than the average lizard, plodding along at an even pace, quiet, but alert and attentive.

This Purple Pox. Skielstregar had never heard of it. He doesn't bother to ask, him too busy keeping an eye out as they approached for this horse-sized cricket. Which would he rather fight? One horse-sized cricket? Or a hundred cricket-sized horses.

He quietly laughs to himself, patting the side of the horse and tying it off to a tree once they arrive. "Good work, redscale," he hums, grabbing a coil of rope out of the saddle bag and looping it over a shoulder.

"Ah, this the place. It look the very much different in the light of day after the exploding." Paenitia says, pulling back some feathers so she's a little less of a fluffball on Ramirez's back.

"I think the good idea is to fly over the canyon, Ramirez makes the challenge calls. If there the big aggressive thing, that pull it out, we lead it to you with ready bows and spells, Yes?"

'Ruaah!' Ramirez likes this idea.

"If there the nothing come running, then we do the creeping underground?" She gives a quick glance around, checking expressions. Hers, is the Smiling Man's, it never changes. She adjusts a few things on the saddle, then clucks at Ramirez and they are off on a reconnaisance taunt.

Vaera was able to read the map, but it was not overly needed, as the disuse of people avoiding the potentially disease ridden was enough of a guide at parts. Still, it did not hurt to be double sure.

"I picked up some tricks from the local hunters for the lay of the land." Vaera offers for a means of explanation. "We can not close it up with the threats still active. They either need to be chased further in, or dispatched before we work. How long do you think is needed to collapse it fully?"

Randolf is, fortunately, quite comfortable in the snow. Finally, some -proper- weather! As the morning wears on and he shakes off the early-hour brain fog, his mood perks quite considerably. Lunch is a pleasant affair (as mealtimes always are), even despite it being trail rations rather than a properly cooked meal. He still packs away three helpings of jerkey and two winter apples, washing it all down with a couple pulls off his whiskey flask. Being the generous sort he is, he even offers it around for his comrades to have a swallow. "Just the thing tae keep ye warm in the winter!" he booms cheerfully. Once back in the saddle, he's whistling cheerfully as they ride along, until they finally come to that warning sign. He swings out of the saddle and leads his horse through the wintery wood, finally stopping when they reach that canyon. "Beards o' me fathers," he says with a low whistle. "One bomb did all -this-?" He leans over to peer down into the canyon, giving his beard a thoughtful tug. "If I could get a closer look, I might be able tae see if there's still some way in," he says. He looks up to Skiel as the sith grabs that rope. "Think ye could lower me down wi' that, laddie?"

Skielstregar looks to Randolf and chuffs, giving a nod and unraveling the coil of rope. "Cccertainly. Come hither," he beckons.

"Dawn's Light what did that madwoman do..?" Reilly still sits atop her pack-laden horse, gawping stunned at the hole in the ground. Her lips are chapped and the skin of her face has gone red in the cold. She blinks and nods mute agreement to Randolf's exclamation-- only to catch herself and sneer, shaking her head. She kicks her mount over towards a leaning tree near the edge of the fresh canyon. Dismounting, she gives the tree a kick to make sure it's not ready to tumble over before tethering her horse.

The other woman makes no remark, busy staring daggers up at Paenitia's back when the Lucht takes flight. She joins the other and pairs their horses at the tree anchor before both set to taking down their supplies. Halette has a sled they begin stacking the packs and pouches on.

GAME: Paenitia rolls perception: (4)+5: 9
GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (3)+5: 8
GAME: Skielstregar rolls perception: (16)+8: 24
GAME: Rocky rolls perception: (13)+6: 19
GAME: Vaera rolls knowledge/dungeoneering: (10)+5: 15
GAME: Vaera rolls perception: (11)+10: 21
GAME: Rocky rolls knowledge/dungeoneering: (19)+5: 24
GAME: Randolf rolls Perception+2: (20)+7+2: 29

Rocky circles 'upstairs', less intrested in the hole than what supposedly came out of it, and what tracks may have been left.

Paenitia and Ramirez circle in the air. Snow, they see snow.

'Ruaaah!' Ramirez calls.

Only snow.

GAME: Randolf rolls Survival: (10)+2: 12
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d6: (1): 1

Rocky chuffs. "Is cricket, yes? Big, but cricket. Known to hide in dark, sneak out when light is gone. But maybe big one come out in light anyway?"

GAME: Randolf rolls Knowledge/Dungeoneering: (3)+6: 9

"I see the carcass in the canyon. It is dead before the last snow, but the snow dark around it." Paenitia calls down. "There is no movement I see from up here."

Randolf briskly rappels down on the rope Skiel so kindly provides, touching down onto the canyon bottom below. He thumps his booted foot firmly on the snow, finding a nice crust of ice has formed. Nodding his head, he takes two steps--and the crust gives way under his hefty weight with a CRUNCH. "GWAAAH!" He vanishes into the snowpack with a flailing of limbs. Fortunately, it can't be very deep, as furious dwarven bellowing can still be easily heard. "GAAH! PISS AN' BLOOD AN' FLAMIN' -SHIT-!! KISS ME FAT HAIRY ARSE YE RAT -BASTARD-! OWWWCH!" There's a moment of silence, then his head and shoulders perk back above the snow. "Oy! There's an openin' down here!" he hollers. "Goes back pretty far! Think this might be what we're lookin' fer!" He flexes his fingers, wincing a bit. Looks like he skinned his knuckles on his way down into the depression. But that doesn't hurt nearly so much as the wound to his pride.

Skielstregar is busy combing through the snow without disturbing what is there. He scratches his neck, tarnished flakes peppering the ground around him. "Hmmm... thisss one thinksss cricket isss rather large... see these here? Large legs, powerful pounce," he points to some depressions in the snow before looking up at the one who called him stinky. Thumbs up sent her way. "This one thinks we should-"

He whirls around at hearing the yelling dwarf. Jogging over, he peers in. And sighs in relief as all was hale. A rope snakes its way down to help lift him out, Skiel on the other end.

"Something was moving through here recently. Imprints in the snow, with a fresh snowfall covering them. Like sword stabs, may be the limbs of our giant insect." Vaera points out as she carefully moves through the snow. She turns to see randolf disappear, but thankfully he does not fall too far. The sith-makar backs off to find a long limb of a tree and cut it off, which she brings back with her to probe the snow in front of her as she moves forward. She did not wish to test how her new leg reacted to a sudden fall.

Rocky eyes the dwarf at the shouting, but relaxes as the situation becomes clear, circling back to where a rope is already secure. Climbing down seems easy enough, but no reason to risk injury at this point.

GAME: Paenitia rolls survival: (16)+2: 18

As if guided by Tarien's hand... no scratch that, he'd dump them in both in the deepest drift, as if guided by providence, Paenitia guides Ramirez to a place where the snow does not in fact, gobble them up.

The white hippogryph and red knight in a white feather cloak immediately blend into the background, visible mostly as red eyes.

So many eyes.

GAME: Vaera rolls survival +4: (2)+10+4: 16

On the ground the paladina calls, "I need the expert in the animal deaths. The carcass I find, is the wolf. He is killed, and he is eaten. All the soft, choice bits have been take. That clear to me. Not clear, is the strange colour. The fur is dark and there is the something mix into the bloody snow. It look like a thick, beige dust."

"As we deal with the fungus, this the spoors? Friend Dragon, the red one, do you know the mushrooms?"

The two guardswomen have the sled loaded and are taking time to wrap rope around the bundles to secure them in place. Training makes them react by standing and putting hands to their blades when they hear Randolf cry out but they return to the task at hand when nothing hostile comes spilling out of the gnome-made canyon. They leave the horses behind and each take a length of rope over the shoulder before pulling the sled behind them towards the lip of the depression.

"Nnnf... should've just doubled the flogging," complains Halette through gritted teeth as she strains against the weight of the equipment. "Fucking... adventurers..."

"... right bastards," agrees Reilly. "Hrn... aaaalmost through with it, though." Her chapped lips have split and warm blood runs down her chin. She licks her lips and spits in between heaves.

Rocky can speculate on beige dust, but knowing stuff isn't his forte. He's firmly in the 'break things, hurt people' department of adventuring.

Skielstregar glances up to the soldiers complaining, but he shrugs and stays astride Vaera. "That isss odd, Warrior Paenitia. Sssounds like our cricket's doing. Mayhap it infected with thisss pox. Better to find the deeper end of thiss cave then."

Lysos stamps a few times, being sure to follow in trails already broken by other people ahead of her. With a thick, fur lined cloak and heavy mittens, she is still managing to feel the bite of the cold so she's often putting her covered hands up to her face in an attempt to warm her nose and cheeks. "We need to kill it. QUickly. With fire. Lots of fire." If she's starting to sound like a goblin, well.. her last encounter with the spores was an unkind one.

Vaera plods along slowly down the canyon, and stops near the area pointed out. A ways away. She looks back to some of the marks she saw before, and waves to the rest of the group. "The strange stab marks in the snow make sense now, coupled with the mold around the body. The bite wounds are caused by an insect, and the mold came from it. I have heard of these beasts before, the fungal crawlers. They are large insects, but not entirely, as the mold is produced by them. And quite insatiable. They poison prey with their bites, and finish them off with their sword like limbs when they are weakened." She explains to the group.

Rocky blinks, and falls still, remaining motionless for several moments before rousing himself again. "This One knows this creature! Is... Mushroom Crawling? Not know words in trade. Both bug and plant. Hybrid." The sith considers. "But in tales they are small. Size of cat, not cow. Maybe is hive queen?" He nods as Vaera gives a better explination.

"Well. That sounds terrible," Lysos admits upon hearing Vaera's description of the 'cricket' as she follows towards the discovered cave entrance. "Definitely fire."

Skielstregar glances to their newcomer, him raising a hand in greeting before listening to the explanation with a slightly scowl. It sounded nast, which makes him tighten the straps on his breastplate as he moves to join Randolf at the entrance.

"They sound the very terrible." Paenitia confirms, and nudges Ramirez. The hippogryph makes a short hop and glide across the snow to land on a solid looking part of the cavern entrance.

She looks into the depths, "the poison, that good to know. Are we attack up close, or from the range?" Her grinning mask turns towards Lysos and Randolf, "You, are the spells at range, and Vaera, using the thunderbelcher? I know friend dragon Rocky and Skielstregar like the up close fight."

"This is how I like the fight too, if there is room for Ramirez." There was in the cavern before, but that was also prior to bomb-remodelling. Finally she glances over at Malapelle and Appauline, and shrugs a little. "The light spell is need now, Randolf, for the humans and the halfling that don't look so good."

Soldiers Malapelle and Appauline still hold the high ground. The pause and drop the tow-lines, stepping closer to the edge of the canyon to look down and see where the Khazad has found an entrance. There's quiet discussion, sighing, and spitting. Finally, the disappear again and there's sound of shovel work, then some light hammering.

Snow tumbles over the endge and into the canyon along with some scree without so much as a 'look out below.' Grunting and groaning and the creaking of a tree ensues as the sled is lowered down with its heavy payload. They've manufactured (or at least assembled) some manner of pulley system and work together with some effort to get the goods down the drop and into the canyon.

Meanwhile, beneath a hanging lip of the rocky crags is the tunnel Randolf has discovered. It looks to have been an offshoot from a larger cavern and it's dotted with stalagtites and -mites, shallow, bulbous columns of minerals and stone where they've joined, and shallow, frozen puddles. It's large enough to fit a wagon through and would prove difficult to block off without a great deal of raw materials. It wounds down and around, into the dark spaces beneath the ground and out of sight.

Skielstregar bobs his head at paenitia's martial assessment, and he moves up to be next to Rocky. Dead silverscale eyes peer into the entrance, him grunting in annoyance as rocks clatter against his legs from the rude soldiers. "Take care, it could burrow," he mentions before hefting his halberd and looking ready to advance.

Randolf grunts, puffing and red-faced as he struggles his way out of the snow and back onto firm rock. Waiting for his comrades to join him once again before they prepare to explore the cave. Vaera's description of the beastie in question has him turning a little paler. "Reos' flamin' beard. That sounds dreadful, dunnit? So... aye. We're killin' it when we find it. Gotcha." He looks back over to Rocky and shakes his head. "I wouldn't think so. I mean, look at ants or bees. -Their- queens dinnae leave the hive. They're only there tae be pampered an' lay eggs. I've never heard of an insect queen that goes out huntin'." He looks back over at Vaera. "But then, I'm nae much of a naturalist." He turns his gaze back towards the cave, furrowing his brow. He pulls his wand, giving it a couple swings to limber up. But before he can engage in any spellcasting, there's that ruckus from above. A shower of snow tumbles down on him, making him gack and splutter. "Oy, leave off!" he growls, scowling up at the two soldiers. His beard bristles as he puffs up his chest. "Ye know, if ye'd asked -nicely- I -could- have just floated yer gear down here," he grumbles. He looks back towards the cave with a harrumph. Lifting his wand, he makes a quick flick. "Re ex re anos lumina!" A soft blue-tinged glow starts emitting from the tip of his wand, which he holds high like a torch. "Right. I'm ready."

"It might not like being out in the light, but it might react to commotion outside." Vaera warns as she steps away from the body. "It seems there are two entrances to close, yes? The question is if we do it now, or do it after clearing the beast away."

She stops to look to Skielstregar. "Can it burrow? If that is the case, there is no option but to slay it first."

"Find the beast and slay it." Paenitia suggests, "We seal it in, it maybe dig another way out, and we will be ask, 'did you kill it?' and the bad answers is 'nooooo...'"

Skielstregar just shrugs at Vaera. "It isss a circumstance that must be considered is all."

GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+8: (5)+8: 13
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+8: (14)+8: 22

Rocky shrugs. "Kill it. Drop poison bait for any other inside, seal up the tunnels for anything immune to poison. Bury the seal deep."

Randolf looks up and around the front chamber of the cave, sweeping his light around with a dour frown. "I'm nae exactly sure how we'd seal up summat like -this-," he says, his voice echoing through the cavern. "It's a pretty big cave, innit? Maybe if we had a couple more bombs like the one what made that canyon out front, but... that'd probably just make an even -bigger- hole, come tae think."

The sled finds the ground and rests after a jerking, swaying descent. The rope stays taught and in short order the two soldiers are sliding down and landing with a clatter one after the other.

Halette's sabatons sink into a soft section of one sack and it sends her stumbling. She catches herself after a three-step hopping stumble against the cavern wall. Her panted growl of frustration is audible.

Reilly comes down harder, landing with a crash, but bends her knees and hops off the pile with all the grace of a sailor dismounting rigging. She fixes her helm and looks after her partner.

They free the sled from the rope used to lower it and ready themselves. Reilly lights a torch, Halette draws her longsword, and then both take up the tow lines and ready to pull the sled into the cave at the back of the group.

"You're going in to find where the thing came from. We'll find a spot narrow enough to barricade. If it takes more than we have here the city will send more supplies." Reilly states after catching her breath. Her torch pops and spits off a brief shower of sparks.

Skielstregar looks back to the soldiers (and half tumbling down). He has an urge to check on them, but they've been inadvertently chucking rocks at him that could dent his new scales, so he doesn't move. "Right. Be back. Let'ssss go."

Paenitia, riding on Ramirez, follws the leaders as they venture below.

"So, we need to go further in? Well, if we find it, we find it, otherwise, we close the exit." Vaera chuffs. "Let us be off, while we are still full of energy. We do not know how long it will take to close off where we find."

Lysos carfeully picks her way down with the rope's assistance... faring much better than the last time she tried her hand at it. Once in the entrance of the cave, she ignores the slight tremor in her knees as she nods smartly. "Alright. This will be fine. What could possibly go wrong? Hunting a cave creature in a cave. It's not like it's its natural environment or anything." She kneels down, snatching up a loose stone and uttering 'luminos', giving light to the pebble to add to whatever other light the group has.

GAME: Lysos casts Light. Caster Level: 9 DC: 17
GAME: Lysos rolls survival: (8)+2: 10 Assist
GAME: Rocky rolls survival: (2)+6: 8
GAME: Vaera rolls Survival+2: (12)+10+2: 24 Assist
GAME: Paenitia rolls survival: (12)+2: 14 Assist
GAME: Skielstregar rolls survival: (19)+8: 27 (33 total)

The caverns beneath this portion of Alexandros appear to be complex. It's not a simple, single tunnel leading into the den of the monster or the dark, underworld reaches beneath Ea's surface. Many places of the paths start off larger and narrow quickly, making it difficult even for an unarmored Lucht or gobber to pass through. Others stretch oddly, narrowing and growing taller, or become obstructed by dripped deposits over millenia.

Thankfully, the large, fungus-infused insect seemed content to leave some minor spoor and that trail proved to be sufficient for Skielstregar to follow. Puddles that had frozen over were cracked when it landed after a hop, its beige dust coats the side of a stalagtite, or dropped chunks of offal and processed waste are left in its wake. Most manage to assist, either able to see due to magical means, a crackling torch, or eyes made to work without the sun's illumination. They point out singular instances of the creature's tracks as they go.

The going isn't quiet, either. Several combatants are heavily armored and the heavy sled scrapes and bumps along the cave floor as the two soldiers pant and growl with the effort to drag it along.

It might be almost an hour later and you've found an oddly-perfect rounded entrance to a larger cavern. It would appear to be a lava tube if its placement wasn't so pecular in an otherwise solid wall and the tube itself so short. The unmistakable sound of a buzzing chirp echoes from the next room. An entire chorus of them in fact.

GAME: Randolf rolls Perception: (17)+7: 24
GAME: Rocky rolls perception: (17)+6: 23
GAME: Skielstregar rolls perception: (18)+8: 26
GAME: Lysos rolls perception: (10)+10: 20
GAME: Paenitia rolls perception: (17)+5: 22
GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (13)+5: 18
GAME: Vaera rolls perception: (3)+10: 13

The cavern is large and split by a massive crack that dives deep down into a midnight abyss. Pillars dot the room, many thicker that the trunks of oak trees. There's the echoing sound of dripping water and light splashing. The room is warm; something that might be pleasant if the air wasn't so thick with the smell of mold.

GAME: Lysos casts Shield. Caster Level: 9 DC: 18

Lysos briefly makes a fist, then holds it out in front of her, fingers splayed as she recites, "Defendarus." Power is released in the form of a briefly visible, translucent blue disc before her. Then she's holding her glowing stone up, trying to pierce the darkness with her weak, human eyes.

GAME: Randolf casts Lightning Bolt. Caster Level: 6 DC: 17
GAME: Randolf rolls 6d6: (14): 14
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+6: (17)+6: 23
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+6: (14)+6: 20

Randolf scowls as he hears the chirping and buzzing. He steps forward into the gloom, peering forward. He sucks in a breath as he spies the crickets on the water. "Gah! There's -many- of 'em!" He steps forward, gripping a handful of his beard and rubbing it briskly over his wand before snapping it out. "Re ex re incardo levintas!" ZRRRAKKKT! The stroke of lightning booms as it arcs from his wand out across the cavern. The crickets, however, prove agile, and are able to avoid the worst of the electricity with a well-timed bound. "Aww -shit-!"

GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+10: (3)+10: 13
GAME: Rocky rolls perception: (9)+6: 15
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+12: (6)+12: 18

Rocky chuffs, his large blade held before him. "Many drone, one queen." Shield before him, the greyscale runs foreward with a roar, headed towards the largest cricket. A hint of motion brings his shield overhead at the last moment.

GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+14: (6)+14: 20
<OOC> Jinks says, "Makes its Acrobatics"
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+6: (14)+6: 20
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+6: (12)+6: 18
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+6: (9)+6: 15
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+6: (9)+6: 15

GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+14: (14)+14: 28
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+6: (16)+6: 22
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+6: (18)+6: 24
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+6: (3)+6: 9
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+6: (5)+6: 11

A shadow moves across one of the thicker rocky columns on the other side of the chasm. It makes a leathery flapping noise and sweeps through the air like a cloak caught in high winds. It snaps open, revealing a light blue underside with malevolent, beady eyes and a massive maw of teeth. It slaps across the armored sith's flank but only manages to bite down on his shield.

Two of the hound-sized crickets leap from the pools where they were eating... something that used to be a far less-bloody creature of meat and dark fur. They sail gracefully through the air and land on thicker hindlegs. There's an unsettling wheeze as air pouches deflate through gossamer flaps and then a rapidfire percussive battering of the lizardman.

Still unscathed, Rocky can feel the dust from their corrupted insectoid bodies suffusing the air around him and might it close.

Lightning! The friend dragon Rocky charges ahead.

"Excuse. Pardon. Excuse. Ramirez do not step on." Paenitia guides her hippogryph through the tight cavern, around Skielstregar and Randolf. Once past the cavern opens up, the black chasm is on her left. Light, fortunately, comes with the little lucht so she is able to see the tactical layout.

She heard there was a larger cricket, but as Rocky runs up on it, something bigger drops from the ceiling. That! That is an adequate challenge. She hugs her mount with her knees.

'Ruaaah!' Ramirez caws loudly. Notice me!

"Monster! I am the threat!" The feathered little knight adds her challenge.

<<UNDER CONSTRUCTION>>